When people think of hiring an interior designer, their mind usually jumps to colours, fabrics, and styling. Paint charts, velvet sofas, perfectly plumped cushions.

But here’s the truth: none of that matters if the bones of the room aren’t right. The secret to good design isn’t the colour on your walls — it’s the way your space is planned.

Space planning is the unglamorous cousin of interior design. It doesn’t look sexy on Instagram, but it’s the bit that makes everything else work. And honestly? It’s my favourite part of the job.

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

There’s a certain type of home that instantly feels calm the moment you walk into it. Nothing is shouting for attention. Nothing feels overly styled. It just works. And usually, it’s not because the owners spent the most money. As an interior designer, I actually think the homes that feel the most luxurious are often the ones that feel the most personal.

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s atmosphere.

There are certain renovation decisions homeowners almost always wish they’d made earlier. Usually once the walls are plastered. Or the kitchen is ordered. Or the electrician is asking questions nobody feels qualified to answer.

As an interior designer, one of the biggest things I help clients with is making key decisions before construction begins — because that’s often what prevents stress, delays and expensive changes later on. Here are some of the biggest things worth thinking about before the builders arrive